The Iglesia ni Cristo claims that the early Christian church apostasized, and that the true faith was restored through Félix Manalo. It vigorously denies the biblical doctrine of the Trinity and promotes the Arian view that Jesus is a created being (as do the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christadephians).

Among other issues, the group has drawn criticism for its political activity and its authoritarian control over members.

The movement is said to be the second-largest religious body in the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines. It has spread worldwide along with the Filipino diaspora and is said to be active in at least 60 countries